Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Federal High Court in Apo, Abuja, is currently hearing a high-profile criminal case involving former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye, over allegations of official corruption and fraudulent award of a $6 billion contract for the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project. The case, prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, has drawn widespread attention due to the scale of the alleged fraud and the prominence of the defendant.
The EFCC alleges that while serving as minister in 2003, Agunloye improperly awarded the 3,960-megawatt Mambilla Power Project contract to Sunrise Power Transmission Company Limited on a build, operate, and transfer basis without approval from the Federal Executive Council. The amended seven-count charge includes allegations of fraudulent contract award, official corruption, disobedience of lawful directives, forgery, and gratification. Agunloye has pleaded not guilty and maintains his innocence.
On March 11, 2026, the third prosecution witness, Umar Hussein Babangida, an EFCC investigator, testified that extracts from the FEC meeting of May 21, 2003, submitted as evidence against Agunloye, were genuine. Babangida said the EFCC had requested certified copies of the meeting minutes from both the Federal Ministry of Power and the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and both provided identical content. This testimony directly counters Agunloye’s claim in an extrajudicial statement that the extracts were altered.
During cross-examination, Babangida explained that he had verified the documents and identified them in court as Exhibits EFCC 3D and EFCC 3K, representing the responses from the OSGF and the Ministry of Power, respectively. He read portions of the documents aloud, including a reference to the construction of the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project and the executive council conclusions, noting that the documents bore certified true copy stamps from the Ministry of Power, signed by an assistant director in the legal department.
The defence challenged Babangida’s authority to clarify the content of the exhibits, arguing that only officials who prepared the documents could authoritatively explain them. The prosecution, citing constitutional provisions for fair hearing and the Evidence Act, argued that the court could permit the witness to clarify any ambiguities to ensure justice and proper interpretation of the documents. Justice Onwuegbuzie reserved ruling on this matter, emphasizing the importance of due process and the integrity of evidence in the trial.
The EFCC has also presented evidence suggesting that Agunloye may have received financial gratifications from affiliates of the contractor following the award of the project. Investigators reported transactions into the former minister’s accounts, which the prosecution argues were part of corrupt inducement connected to the contract award.
Agunloye’s defence has consistently challenged the authenticity of the documents, questioned the competence of witnesses to interpret them, and raised procedural objections. Defence counsel also highlighted that some evidence and documents may be inconsistent or unreliable. The court has reminded both sides to avoid tactics intended to delay proceedings.
The Mambilla Power Project itself has been a long-standing government initiative to develop Africa’s largest hydroelectric station on the Donga River in Taraba State, with the aim of generating over 3,000 megawatts to help address Nigeria’s energy shortfall. Its history includes funding challenges, legal disputes, and shifting government policies.
Prosecution witnesses have stated that former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the FEC did not approve the Sunrise contract, and that directives to withdraw the memorandum regarding the project were ignored. These testimonies are central to the prosecution’s narrative that the contract award was irregular and contrary to established procedures.
The trial continues with further testimonies and court dates scheduled. Observers note that the outcome will have significant implications for public procurement accountability, anti-corruption enforcement, and evidentiary standards in complex financial crime cases in Nigeria. The case underscores ongoing challenges in governance, the administration of justice, and the management of large-scale national infrastructure projects.
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